We need meaningful review of Early Years funding

Ibrought constituents’ concerns to Parliament. I called on the Government to acknowledge the value of the Early Years sector and pay what it costs to deliver it.

I’m impressed by our providers in Bath, including First Steps and Atelier, and their commitment to providing children with the best possible start in life.

I add my full support to calls for a meaningful review of Early Years funding, which must include a multi-year funding settlement, simplifying the funding system and making sure that funding follows the child.

Government ministers continue to close their eyes and ears to the problems that Brexit is causing.

Many businesses in Bath, from English language teaching schools to hotels and restaurants, are being forced to operate reduced services.

The Paymaster General failed to provide a satisfactory answer on how the Government intends to solve the problems for Bath’s hospitality sector caused by the new immigration system.

With its imminent £20 Universal Credit cut, the Government will be harming up to 5,900 families in Bath, with 27 per cent of local families with children being affected adversely. 39 per cent of families receiving Universal Credit are in work and many have young families. Constituents who will be directly affected have written to my office. I voted against the National Insurance increase, as it will hit low earners and the youngest hardest.

With COP26 looming, the Climate Emergency is coming into even sharper focus.

Stopping burning fossil fuels is the major requirement to get to net-zero.

The Prime Minister’s floundering response to my question at PMQS was indicative of the Government’s failure to take the climate crisis seriously.

I met with Prior Park College biology students eager to discuss the Climate Emergency, and what can be done to mitigate it.

We owe it to our young people to take meaningful action now.

A woman dies at the hands of a man every three days in the UK.

After so many tragic events this year alone, too many women feel unsafe walking down their own streets.

Our criminal justice system is failing women, and the Government

must do more to support survivors and prevent violence.

To tackle the root cause of violence against women and girls, we need to legislate to make misogyny a hate crime.

I had a constructive meeting with Ruth Gawler, Neighbourhood Inspector for Bath & North East Somerset.

One of her top priorities is that everyone in our community feels safe everywhere, at all times. Ruth emphasised the importance of residents feeling confident to contact the police promptly to report incidents.